Sports digest

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Cricket Ireland open inquiry

CRICKET:Cricket Ireland have opened an inquiry into last Saturday's abandoned Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup second-round tie between Limavady and Instonians, writes Emmet Riordan.

Instonians’ Ireland international, Andrew White, alleges he was assaulted by a Limavady player during the tea interval at the John Hunter Grounds.

The Belfast club were willing to continue the game under protest, but that situation was not acceptable to Limavady, forcing the umpires to draw stumps.

The issue of deciding the match result must also be settled and Cricket Ireland’s statement pointed out that both clubs will be asked to comment on the umpires’ report before a decision is taken on the status of the match.

Whichever side is decided as the winner, be it on the pitch or in the committee room, will have a home tie against Railway Union in the quarter-finals on July 2nd.

Revington names Ireland squad

HOCKEY: Paul Revington has named what looks to be a squad of probables and possibles for the back-to-back tournaments coming up this week as the build-up to August's European championships heightens..

For the Celtic Cup, which gets underway on Friday at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, the Irish coach has named an inexperienced selection with eight of 18 making their tournament debuts.

Indeed, Three Rock goalkeeper Stephen West and former club mate Kyle Good could make their debuts in Wales.

The high profile UCD Four Nations tournament gets underway in Dublin on Monday with Pakistan, France and China visiting Belfield. Revington makes 17 changes from the Celtic panel with only David Ames in line to play both competitions.

Cutler best of Irish in Amateur

GOLF:Paul Cutler led the Irish challenge in yesterday's opening strokeplay round of the British Amateur Open.

The Portstewart star shot a one-over-par 72 over the Hesketh course in Southport, near Liverpool, to be in a share of 14th spot.

Chris Selfridge of Moyola Park and Garth McGee of Malone shot three-over 74s over the same course, while John Green of Carlow was also three over after a 75 over the Hillside course.

Rheinisch back in action

CANOEING: Eoin Rheinisch returned to action after surgery with a 34th placing at the canoe slalom European Champions at Seu d'Urgell in Spain at the weekend, writes Liam Gorman.

The Kildare man, fourth in the Beijing Olympics in the K1 racing kayak, had an operation on his left shoulder in November. He said yesterday that the two runs he took – he deliberately sat out the second heat of a programme which had an extra layer in a quarter-final – confirmed for him that his fitness has not fully returned. However, he was encouraged that the shoulder stood up to competition without becoming painful. “Day by day, it is getting better,” he said. “I have three months before Olympic Qualification (at the World Championships) in September and the real goal is to get the high-intensity fitness back.”

He will compete in four more events before the World Championships in Slovakia. Ciaran Heurteau finished 33rd in the K1 in Seu d’Urgell. In the women’s K1, Hannah Craig finished 29th.

Nowitzki inspires Dallas Mavericks to NBA title

BASKETBALL: There was revenge, vindication and more than a few tears for Dirk Nowitzki as his Dallas Mavericks won an NBA championship last night. The Mavericks beat the Miami Heat 105-95 in Game Six to complete a 4-2 series win for their first ever NBA crown.

In doing so, Nowitzki beat the Miami club that had denied him in 2006. He beat Dwyane Wade, who had questioned his leadership abilities after that series. And he beat LeBron James, who had this week joined Wade, mocking Nowitzki for the illness and injury he had suffered during this series. The emotions were such that after the final buzzer, Nowitzki bolted for the locker rooms where he cried alone until being dragged back out by team-mates for the presentations. Jason Terry had led Dallas with 27 points in the final game, but Nowitzki, who had 21 points and 11 rebounds inspired comebacks from 12, nine and four points down in their previous victories and earning the Finals MVP award.